Core i7-9700K vs Core i9-11900KB

CPU

GPU

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

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Core i9-11900KB

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2021

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Core i7-9700K vs Core i9-11900KB Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9700K

8 / 8

14,397

0.0%

22,693

+57.6%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i7-9700K vs Core i9-11900KB FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-9700K vs Core i9-11900KB: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $154 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 22,693).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Core i9-11900KB

2021

Why buy it

✅+57.6% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 12.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 42.1 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($539 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌
40% HIGHER MSRP
$539 MSRPvs$385 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900KB better than Core i7-9700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700K is ahead with a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11900KB pulls ahead with 57.6% better PassMark. Core i9-11900KB also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11900KB is the stronger fit. You are getting 57.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-11900KB is the better buy right now. Core i9-11900KB comes in 40.0% more expensive on MSRP at $539 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 57.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 12.6% better value on MSRP (42.1 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i9-11900KB makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018), 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700K vs Core i9-11900KB Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

Core i9-11900KB

The Core i9-11900KB is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Maio 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,693 points. Launch price was $539.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i9-11900KB's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900KB — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-11900KB uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core i9-11900KB's 22,693 — a 44.7% lead for the Core i9-11900KB. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KB.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-11900KB
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	14,397	22,693+58%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,264
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,645

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-11900KB uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-11900KB — the Core i9-11900KB supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 20 (Core i9-11900KB) — the Core i9-11900KB offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and Mobile (Core i9-11900KB).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-11900KB
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-11900KB supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and Intel UHD Graphics (Core i9-11900KB) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-11900KB
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Intel UHD Graphics
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Core i9-11900KB came in at $539. On launch pricing ($385 vs $539), Core i7-9700K was $154 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 42.1 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900KB — making the Core i9-11900KB the 11.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-11900KB
MSRP	$385-29%	$539
Performance per Dollar	37.4	42.1+13%
Release Date	2018	2021

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